US Representative Gabrielle Giffords (AZ-D) has announced that she will step down from Congressand focus on recovering from the injuries she suffered at the hands of the assassination attempt by mad man Jared Lee Loughner in the Tucson massacre. Giffords plans on resigning later this week and will not seek reelection in 2012. Arizona Governor Jan Brewer will set the date for special primary and general elections to determine who will serve the remainder of Giffords’ term.

“I have more work to do on my recovery, so to do what is best for Arizona I will step down this week. I’m getting better. Every day my spirit is high. I will return and we will work together for Arizona and this great country. Thank you very much.”

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona announced Sunday she intends to resign from Congress this week to concentrate on recovering from wounds suffered in an assassination attempt a little more than a year ago that shook the country.

“I don’t remember much from that horrible day, but I will never forget the trust you placed in me to be your voice,” the Democratic lawmaker said on a video posted without prior notice on her Facebook page.

Although it is sad to see that Gabby Giffords has to step down, it is the right thing for her and her family. All to often I had heard Democrats and their operativessay that she was making great strides in her recovery, yet when one would see or hear Gabby and you could only say that she was no where back to where she needed to be. The last thing that was needed was for the Democrat party to take advantage of Gabby and use her to have her run for office on the sympathy vote.

In a statement, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California said that “since the tragic events one year ago, Gabby has been an inspiring symbol of determination and courage to millions of Americans.”

Democratic officials had held out hope for months that the congresswoman might recover sufficiently to run for re-election or even become a candidate to replace retiring Republican Sen. Jon Kyl.

What happened to Gabby Giffords was a terrible thing and honestly she is lucky to be alive. She has come a long way, but still has a long way still to go. She is doing the right thing, she needs to focus on her self and her family. Gabby is young enough to always make a political come back of she wants to. However, for now the primary focus should be Gabby, her family and no one else.

When I first watched and heard the extend of Gabrielle Giffords injuries, I never thought she would live, let alone recover. She has recovered more than one could have ever expected. Whether she ever fully recovers or ever gets back into politics makes no difference. She is an inspiration to many and I can only say … Godspeed and get well Gabby!!!